If the Penguins can muster up enough guts and psyche and get enough healthy bodies on the ice, they might just finish their nightmarish January with a 7-7 mark. They would have to win the remaining three games this month to accomplish that. It would be quite a feat considering everything that has transpired since the new year began. But here are some phrases I never want to hear again:

1) "The Penguins turn the puck over in that gray area again...."2) "Letang shoots it......MISSED THE GOAL!"3) "Crosby had it poked off his stick, now it's turned back the other way on a 3-on-1"4) "The Penguins are being outshot 11-0 to start the period."5) "Sykora had a wide open net but just couldn't finish the play."6) "Whitney tried to clear the puck but just couldn't get enough mustard on it."7) "Now Fleury comes out of the net to play the puck."8) "Penguins' powerplay 6 for their last 66."

So let's see if these guys have what it takes to finish the first month of the new year with a .500 record. Winning these last three January games will be critical; the six points will certainly put them in the 7th or 8th playoff spot, and they can begin February with new life. By the way....a little side note to Sidney Crosby and Max Talbot....I just watched a game I recorded back in the 2006-2007 season....and you guys used to score goals when you drove to the net. 85% of hockey goals are hard-work goals, the ugly kind that bounce, deflect, or come off of rebounds. A team that generates minimal shots on goal has practically zero chance of ever scoring those type of goals. The entire team should spend the five day break watching videotapes of Mark Messier and Dino Ciccerelli.

Plus, it greatly increases the chance of Brooks Orpik or Rob Scuderi deflecting the puck into their own net. Perhaps those two guys should take turns standing in front of the net during OUR powerplays....

Plus, it greatly increases the chance of Brooks Orpik or Rob Scuderi deflecting the puck into their own net. Perhaps those two guys should take turns standing in front of the net during OUR powerplays....

At this point.. Orpik standing infront of the net on the PP wouldn't be too bad

6) "Whitney tried to clear the puck but just couldn't get enough mustard on it."

Same could be said for Mark Eaton and Scuderi. Scuderi manages to ice the puck 3 times a game trying to make a pass through the neutral zone, but some how can't get the puck out of our own end on the PK.

Then, Orpik and Cooke will return, Fedotenko soon after that, then Gonchar late in the season.

With the backup goaltending situation secure (we should get a look at Garon during the back-to-back games this weekend), and the team getting healthy, one trade for a power winger might just make this team a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs.